A Day in the Life of a Graduate

We spoke with Christian Peterson, a finance graduate now in his second year at Aspen, to learn about his daily responsibilities, what drives him in his career, and the support that matters most to him.

Can you walk us through a typical day in your role?

I just moved into a new rotation, so my days look a little different right now. My manager sat down with me to go over what the role involves, who I’ll be working with, and what’s coming up in the next rotations. At the moment, I’m in GAAP accounting, getting to know the team and the work.

In my last rotation, which was in Treasury, once I got settled, I was able to lead a project. A lot of it was about figuring out why certain checks weren’t getting cashed, cancelling and reissuing them with our external support (Genpact), and following up with adjustors. It involved a lot of communication, which I enjoyed.

What’s one project you’ve worked on recently that you’re proud of?

The outstanding check project in Treasury, my first project where I was allowed to run with it and lead it. I had responsibility. It didn’t start out great, I had to ask questions and make some adjustments. It was a big learning curve but also rewarding to get over the line.

What’s something you’ve learned about yourself since starting this job?

I think one thing I’ve learned about myself is that I’m adjustable to new environments. Things change constantly and don’t always go the way you thought, there’s often curveballs that come out that means your original plan may need to change. I’m pleased I’ve been able to adjust and shift timescales and priorities when this happens.

What motivates you to keep growing in your career?

I’m only in my second year, so there’s still so much to learn. I come from a sports background, so I don’t like feeling like I’m bad at something. I like being coachable, asking questions, learning from others, and improving. That mindset keeps me motivated to get better every day, even if I make mistakes along the way.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received since starting work?

To stay open to everything. This program is two years with four different rotations, so the goal is to learn as much as I can, meet people, and not get stuck on just one area. Being curious and willing to ask questions has been huge.

What has made you feel the most supported at work?

Having a manager who meets with me every week has been a game-changer. Just knowing I have someone to talk to, get advice from, and feel supported by has made a big difference. Plus, the positive culture here and the people I work with keep things consistent and encouraging.